Can You See His Face?
It had been a very sad Sabbath day. Going over the dreadful scene of what had taken place the day before, Mary's heart was so filled with grief. It had been too late in the day to bathe the precious body with spices, so the friends of Jesus, had laid His body in the tomb to rest during the Sabbath hours.
Mary, eager to do one last kindness for the one who had become so dear to her, rose early the next morning, making her way to the place where her dear Master lay.
As she walked through the dewy garden, and drew closer to the tomb, a most glorious light filled the heavens! The tomb was empty, and the body of her beloved Jesus, was gone. All that was left, was His grave clothes, neatly folded.
Mary had been the first to reach the tomb, and filled with distress at seeing the stone removed, and the tomb empty, she rushed away to tell the disciples of the dreadful thing that had taken place.
While Mary bore the news to the disciples, the other women, who were making their way to the tomb, also arrived, only to see the tomb empty. Alas! The Savior was gone! How could it be? An angel was sitting by the tomb, and the women were suddenly terror stricken! Seeing their fear, he said to them in a gentle voice:
"Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead."
Overjoyed by the words of the angels, the women run quickly to bear the blessed tidings to the disciples.
Mary had not heard of the blessed news. She had borne the terrible message of the empty tomb, to Peter and John. Upon hearing her message, the three of them rushed off to the tomb. They found everything just as Mary had said.
As the disciples, turned to leave, going on their way back to Jerusalem, Mary stayed there in the garden by the tomb. As she stood, grief stricken looking into the empty tomb, she saw two angels who asked her:
"Woman, why weepest thou?" she said to them: "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him."
"Then she turned away, even from the angels, thinking that she must find someone who could tell her what had been done with the body of Jesus. Another voice addressed her, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" Through her tear-dimmed eyes, Mary saw the form of a man, and thinking that it was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away."...... But now in His own familiar voice Jesus said to her, "Mary." Now she knew that it was not a stranger who was addressing her, and turning she saw before her the living Christ. In her joy she forgot that He had been crucified. Springing toward Him, as if to embrace His feet, she said, "Rabboni." But Christ raised His hand, saying, Detain Me not; "for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God." And Mary went her way to the disciples with the joyful message." {DA 790}
What a great lesson I learned from Mary, as I lay thinking of that story last night, which took place so long ago.
Mary's eyes had been so dimmed with tears, that she could not even see her dear Lord's face.... Her heart so stricken with grief, that she could not discern His voice....
How often, I, like Mary, let things dim the view of My dear Jesus' face. Sorrow, Guilt, trials...
I am sure I'm not alone.
Why don't we just look up, and let Jesus wipe our tears? He ever stands beside us, longing to take us by the hand, and whisper to us of His love...
Oh when will I look up, and listen for His promise... And believe?
"God would not have us remain pressed down by dumb sorrow, with sore and breaking hearts. He would have us look up and behold His dear face of love. The blessed Saviour stands by many whose eyes are so blinded by tears that they do not discern Him. He longs to clasp our hands, to have us look to Him in simple faith, permitting Him to guide us. His heart is open to our griefs, our sorrows, and our trials. He has loved us with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness compassed us about. We may keep the heart stayed upon Him and meditate upon His loving-kindness all the day. He will lift the soul above the daily sorrow and perplexity, into a realm of peace. {MB 12.2}
Mary, eager to do one last kindness for the one who had become so dear to her, rose early the next morning, making her way to the place where her dear Master lay.
As she walked through the dewy garden, and drew closer to the tomb, a most glorious light filled the heavens! The tomb was empty, and the body of her beloved Jesus, was gone. All that was left, was His grave clothes, neatly folded.
Mary had been the first to reach the tomb, and filled with distress at seeing the stone removed, and the tomb empty, she rushed away to tell the disciples of the dreadful thing that had taken place.
While Mary bore the news to the disciples, the other women, who were making their way to the tomb, also arrived, only to see the tomb empty. Alas! The Savior was gone! How could it be? An angel was sitting by the tomb, and the women were suddenly terror stricken! Seeing their fear, he said to them in a gentle voice:
"Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead."
Overjoyed by the words of the angels, the women run quickly to bear the blessed tidings to the disciples.
Mary had not heard of the blessed news. She had borne the terrible message of the empty tomb, to Peter and John. Upon hearing her message, the three of them rushed off to the tomb. They found everything just as Mary had said.
As the disciples, turned to leave, going on their way back to Jerusalem, Mary stayed there in the garden by the tomb. As she stood, grief stricken looking into the empty tomb, she saw two angels who asked her:
"Woman, why weepest thou?" she said to them: "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him."
"Then she turned away, even from the angels, thinking that she must find someone who could tell her what had been done with the body of Jesus. Another voice addressed her, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" Through her tear-dimmed eyes, Mary saw the form of a man, and thinking that it was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away."...... But now in His own familiar voice Jesus said to her, "Mary." Now she knew that it was not a stranger who was addressing her, and turning she saw before her the living Christ. In her joy she forgot that He had been crucified. Springing toward Him, as if to embrace His feet, she said, "Rabboni." But Christ raised His hand, saying, Detain Me not; "for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God." And Mary went her way to the disciples with the joyful message." {DA 790}
What a great lesson I learned from Mary, as I lay thinking of that story last night, which took place so long ago.
Mary's eyes had been so dimmed with tears, that she could not even see her dear Lord's face.... Her heart so stricken with grief, that she could not discern His voice....
How often, I, like Mary, let things dim the view of My dear Jesus' face. Sorrow, Guilt, trials...
I am sure I'm not alone.
Why don't we just look up, and let Jesus wipe our tears? He ever stands beside us, longing to take us by the hand, and whisper to us of His love...
Oh when will I look up, and listen for His promise... And believe?
"God would not have us remain pressed down by dumb sorrow, with sore and breaking hearts. He would have us look up and behold His dear face of love. The blessed Saviour stands by many whose eyes are so blinded by tears that they do not discern Him. He longs to clasp our hands, to have us look to Him in simple faith, permitting Him to guide us. His heart is open to our griefs, our sorrows, and our trials. He has loved us with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness compassed us about. We may keep the heart stayed upon Him and meditate upon His loving-kindness all the day. He will lift the soul above the daily sorrow and perplexity, into a realm of peace. {MB 12.2}
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Hi Cortney!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this story and how you added a special meaning to it, I found it very inspiring! Keep it up, can't wait to read more ;) I love your Blog too, its gorgeous!
Your Friend,
Riarna ~
Hi Riarna!
DeleteI'm glad you were inspired by the story! I was too! There are SO many precious lessons in the Bible! I'm so thankful God had given us His word!
Thank you for your encouragement! ;)
Blessings to you!